Falling for the fair

Milton Fall Fair is a celebration of rural life and you’re invited to the party

There was a time when the local fall fair was the highlight of the year, a time when country and city folk got together for some fun and friendly competition.

Fall Fairs have a lot of competition these days but they continue to thrive thanks to their unique ability to bring farm life to the city in a way that everyone can enjoy. Where else can you see perfectly groomed calves being proudly paraded by 4-H Club members or Pinterest worthy crafts and baked goods vying for prize ribbons and cash rewards?

With roots reaching back to 1853, the concept of the Milton Fall Fair has remained relatively unchanged despite massive changes in the community and society in general. The annual event has been held on the same 26- acre parcel of land off Robert Street since 1864, when the fair turned a profit of $427.

Nestled in an older residential area, the fairgrounds become a showplace for all things rural for three days every September. It’s a lively celebration featuring traditional fall fair competitions like equestrian events, kids’ pet show, baby contest, truck and tractor pulls and the smashing demolition derby.

Follow your nose and the sweet smell of freshly spun candy-floss to the midway, complete with thrill rides and games. Such is the flow of the fair, from exhilarating spins on the Scrambler to an unhurried stroll through the exhibitor barns for an intimate visit with farm animals.

The fair comes to town from September 27th to 29th this year, beginning with Youth Day on Friday. Fair organizers consider this special preview of the agricultural fair for children extremely important in helping to build a relationship between farmers and consumers.

It’s a chance for children to learn where their food comes from as the farmland around the town where they live continues to be eaten up by development.

Children are often awe-struck, perhaps seeing farm animals up close for the first time or learning where milk actually comes from and how a cow is milked. All weekend long there are kid-friendly events including dog agility shows, the 4-H Club’s rabbit hopping agility course, children’s pedal tractor pull, and pet show along with displays of children’s art, crafts and photography. Horse events and shows run each of the three days providing a showcase for jumpers, barrel racers and more.

The display areas are packed with entries in various categories from fruits and vegetables, needlecraft, baking and preserves to antiques and collectables and winning examples of flowers and plants. The creative entries might inspire fair goers to tackle similar projects. This publication includes everything you need to enter any of the competitions.

Many of the home craft entries come from urban residents who try their hand at making pies from scratch or explore their abilities as photographers, crafters or gardeners. Only the judges are allowed to sample the food items but there is plenty to eat at the fair including fall fair staples like corndogs, back bacon-on-a-bun and decadent waffles, candy apples and Beaver Tails.

This year’s fair will also feature live bands Friday and Saturday evenings, a classic car show, commercial exhibits, vendors and more. It all comes together to make Milton Fall Fair a unique way to celebrate and connect with rural life with a serving of education and entertainment on the side.